Archive for July 31st, 2013

Syfy’s newest original scripted series Helix from Sony Pictures Television began production this past weekend in Montreal, Canada. The 13-episode drama is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander), Steven Maeda (Lost, The X-Files) who is also showrunner, and Lynda Obst (Sleepless in Seattle, Contact). Cameron Porsandeh, who wrote the pilot, will serve as a Co-Executive Producer.

Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that may hold the key to mankind’s salvation or total annihilation. However, the lethal threat is just the tip of the iceberg, and as the virus evolves, the chilling truth begins to unravel.

Billy Campbell (The Killing, Killing Lincoln) stars as Dr. Alan Farragut, leader of the Centers for Disease Control outbreak field team called upon to investigate and control a potential “hot zone” at a remote Arctic research facility. Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, 47 Ronin) also stars as Dr. Hiroshi Hataki, director of the outpost and its mysterious viral research program.

Prolific director and producer Jeffrey Reiner is directing the premiere episode of Helix. Reiner directed multiple episodes of notable television series such as the critically acclaimed and award-winning Friday Night Lights, Awake and The Event. Reiner previously worked with Syfy directing the 90-minute pilot of the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica.

Helix is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Kaji Productions and Lynda Obst Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Not only is the CW planning to expand its superhero series by adding The Flash, but they plan on doing it by introducing the character in three episodes of Arrow next season.

At the Television Critics Association presentation, Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, Arrow‘s co-creators, and writer Geoff Johns told the audience that they will co-write episodes 8, 9 and 20 which will introduce Barry Allen, who becomes The Flash, before spinning him to his own series. And he won’t have any super powers…yet. “The character will be as grounded and realistic as possible,” according to Kriesberg. “That’s how we’ll get to know him. Then his life will get a bit faster.”